lush // angels on bare skin :: review

a few months back, based on positive reviews by trusted twitter pals, i caved and bought my first ever lush product. i was having a 'skin care regime' crisis - the actual crux of that being that i just plain don't have a regime. i'm approaching the age that those skin care products are aimed at, and am noticing a little extra skin where it shouldn't be anymore. i needed something to turn back time, and failing that, maybe just firm the old jowls up a bit. as well as that, an easy, daily product that would refresh, clean and tone.

i've always had a sensitive face, and for the last few years i've used nothing but make up wipes and water to combat spots. as a young adult, i would pickpickpickpick at the smallest spot - thinking it was hideous, and now i suffer pretty bad scarring. ironic, huh? i don't have great skin now, but i accept that and i have found a way to keep my skin neutral by not using too many products.

upon explaining that to the fire-haired assistant in my local lush store, i was taken immediately over to the sink, and used as part of a demonstration for a product that "everybody loves!" well, after the demonstration of angels on bare skin, i will admit that my skin felt and smelt fabulous, and for the price, yes - i was convinced. i triple checked that this product would be sensitive enough for my delicate skin, and once assured, i even bought the follow up product - the eau roma toner water, i mean, naturally occuring and totally organic ingredients are the best kind, right?!

that night i couldn't wait to get it on my skin. i did as i was told and mixed a 10p sized amount with warm water to create a paste, gently rub this into my skin to open, clean and refresh pores, rinse off with warm water, then - an important step! leave to dry naturally. something something about drying your face with a towel locks something something into your skin, and undoes all the good. well, left it to dry, applied a few sprays of the toner water, and went on my way.

i will admit that the combined smells of the products were positively gorgeous. the lavender, rose and chamomile extracts really did make my skin feel revived, and i slept really well that night thanks to the scent i brought to bed with me. cannot fault that. as mentioned from the demo, my skin felt great too - soft and like it hadn't been cleaned in years. i also picked up a sample of a moisturiser to test on my skin, to see how it fared on my combo skin. i only used it around my eyes and forehead, as i've had issues with oily skin in the past. this mini regime was repeated twice daily, in the morning shower, and at night before bed.

a few days in, i noticed the bumps. small bumps under the skin around where my mouth meets my cheeks, and up towards my ears. not a normal place for me to get spots. they were all under the skin, but i knew they were there. a few quick tweets to lush assured me it was my skin getting used to new products, kicking out the bad stuff, and working it's magic on the good stuff. they told me to be patient, it will calm down.

weeks later, it hadn't, and i was pretty upset at the state of my skin. the spots had broken through, and then with the daily exfoliation had become raw and inflamed. i cut back to morning-only use, relying on my trusty make up wipes to calm the bumps at night. i stopped using the moisturiser, and only used the toner water before bed (secretly, i liked the smell and deep sleeps it was giving me!). no change. by now i'd been using the product four weeks, and my skin was terrible. my ego was battered, you guys know how self-absorbed i am! so, gutted as i was, i stopped using the products all together.

i do still quite enjoy a refreshing spray of the roma water after a warm shower or right before bed, but i've had to say goodbye to the angels. i'm told there's a product similar that is aimed at problem skin, but after being recommended the wrong product by someone at lush, and told to wait and see by their official twitter, i don't think i have any more time for them, nor would i refer this product on to anyone like i was referred to it.

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I'm so sad that this product hasn't worked for you! I love it so maybe i'm thinking my skin isn't as super sensitive as it once was!

I know what you mean about those awful bumps though! I get them if I use any face washes/scrubs/cleansers/moisturisers/wipes etc aimed at specifically targeting spots. They are the worst!

But what I find saddest of all is the bad advice you had from Lush! I've had nothing but good advice thankfully but I do know it happens (my worst experiences have been with MAC & Clarins) and that's when you feel most let down!

I also admit that I've had a lot of problems with LUSH stuff ( I also have combo/mega sensitive skin). The only thing I've really been able to use with any success is the oatmeal face scrub, and I only use that once in a while.

I HAVE found that a local man near me makes vegan oatmeal soap that doesn't hurt my skin. You just have to keep looking.

I can't believe how badly this worked for you! I've never tried any Lush face products but this doesn't fill me with hope, especially after you got recommended the wrong one! Hoping your skin recovers soon. :)

I've used this cleanser, and thought it was complete crap! It literally did NOTHING for my skin! Aqua Marina (also Lush) however, is a GOD SEND! Seriously amazing! Wish I'd never deviated from it! I'd maybe give it a go if I were you? For me, it does everything that Angel's is supposed to do but doesn't! :)

Oh no!! That totally stinks that this product only made it worse. Lame that they didn't even take the time and listen to your concerns. I always try to make myself buy something new but am always scared that it will only make my skin react in a bad way. I'm super paranoid about it!

Oh Erica im so sorry i feel so awful that i urged you to give this a go!!!!! Gaaah!! Its the best thing i have ever put on my cheeks i honestly can say iv never found better, but it just proves that sometimes what works for one doesnt work for another! My skin doesnt suffer as much from breakouts as just being generally shiny with an odd spot here and there so it could be that as you are more sensitive, thats why its just aggravated things!!!

Its odd you should write this as all week iv kept thinking i must see how that gals getting on with the lush goodies.

don't be silly - it wasn't just you; everyone said i'd love it! i appreciate the recommendation, just not the outcome! maybe i will go back to using it once a week because i don't want it to go to waste :)

HI there! I'm a regualr reader who decided to stop urking and say hello!I use angels on bare skin from time to time when i feel my face could benefit from it. I really couldnt see myself using this regulary. i too have sensitive skin and very bad ecezyma so have to be very careful. I have a variety of potions as yur skin varies day to day. some days its dry so theres no point in using scrubs and load up on the thick moisturiser...some days its greasy so i swicth gain so the more heavier going products...i found that way, the constant rotation of products means my skin getting what it needs and finally i seem to have bought the spots and outbreaks under control! maybe this method is worth giving a go? Dermalogica is worth a shot for its facial cleanser...expensive but its worth it plus salons give away free samples for you to use before commiting to a larger tub!Hope that helps!Hannah-aka birdie xxx

hi hannah! thank you so much for speaking up! i think i will take your lead and try it once a week to revive the skin. this way, my skin won't expect it or know how to react, and it should just appreciate the attention!

i like your dedication to your skin - i'm not that way inclined, so i think i shall resort back to water to now.

Aw I'm so sorry this didn't work for you. I use it about every other day and never had any problems. I like that it's a gentle exfoliant too. I can definitely see how one or more of the ingredients in it irritate your skin. Some people are sensitive to the sensitive-skin ingredients!